Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes

Being on probation is serious, with specific conditions that must be followed. Drinking alcohol may be permitted in some cases, but not when the person has a specific offense related to alcohol. One example of this is DUI probation. Even when it is allowed, drinking while on probation can increase the chances of committing a…

Can You Drink While on Probation? | 610-431-7900 West Chester DUI Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Can Offer Advise if You Have Violated Your DUI Probation.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal in all states, and in Pennsylvania, a conviction can remain on your record permanently unless you meet certain conditions for expungement. The penalties for a DUI conviction vary, depending on the number of prior convictions you have received. State DUI laws prohibit operating or in physical control of…

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Pennsylvania? West Chester criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes represents clients with DUI offenses.

Labor Day is an occasion to honor the accomplishments of American workers. It also marks the unofficial end of summer and the opportunity to enjoy cookouts and warm beach days. Alcohol drinks may be served at these festivities. If you plan to drink this Labor Day Weekend, take steps to prevent driving under the influence…

Going Out This Labor Day? Here Is How You Can Avoid a DUI Charge West Chester criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes represents drivers charged with labor day DUIs.

When you hear “driving under the influence (DUI),” it is most often associated with alcohol use. However, alcohol is not the only intoxicating substance that can lead to penalties for drivers. Being under the influence of prescription drugs while behind the wheel can also lead to a DUI charge. In Pennsylvania, driving under the influence…

Can I Get a DUI for Being Under the Influence of a Medication? West Chester DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes can help you fight a DUI-D charge.

Parole allows incarcerated individuals to have early release. A parole violation is a serious matter that can result in returning to prison for the remainder of the sentence. Violating parole can also mean the offender committed an additional crime, leading to more legal penalties. The return to prison could be much longer than completing the…

What Happens When You Violate Parole? Call | 610-431-7900 | West Chester criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Will uphold your rights if you are accused of violating parole.

For many people, Memorial Day weekend signifies the beginning of summer, and many Americans take to the roads for vacation over the long weekend. However, more people die on Memorial Day weekend each year than any other holiday weekend combined. The AAA estimates that over 39 million people will travel this Memorial Day weekend. The…

How Can I Avoid a DUI Charge on Memorial Day Weekend? | Call today West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Represents Clients With DUI Charges. Free Consultations.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania takes juvenile shoplifting seriously, however, its penalties are designed to teach and not necessarily to punish. The goal is to demonstrate to the youth that they have made a mistake and they should not engage in that activity again. It is still a serious affair if your child has been arrested…

What Are Juvenile Shoplifting Penalties? Call | 610-431-7900 | West Chester criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Will protect your child if they are accused of juvenile.

Although St. Patrick’s Day was intended to honor a revered priest in Ireland, it has become a drinking holiday around the world. Parades, parties, special events at bars and clubs, and pub crawls are scheduled all over the United States for St. Patrick’s Day, and often the days around it. Many drink heavily at…

How Can I Avoid a DUI Charge on St. Patrick's Day? West Chester DUI defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Fight for those charged with drunk driving.

The lawful age to buy or drink liquor in Pennsylvania is 21. Under Pennsylvania law, it is unlawful for anybody under 21 to buy, drink, possess, or transport alcohol, malt, or mixed drinks. The punishments for a conviction are obligatory fines and loss of driving privileges. These fines and subsequent suspensions increase with each ensuing…

What Are the Underage Drinking Laws in Pennsylvania? West Chester criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Fight for those wrongfully charged with drunk driving.

With the wide range of digital search options employers now use to screen job applicants, misdemeanors from a decade ago or even longer may come up when a person is being considered by a firm. We live in an era in which people have lost their jobs from inappropriate social media postings. A lot of…

What Is the Expungement Process in Pennsylvania? West chester criminal defense lawyers at the law offices of Heather J. Mattes help clients expunge their criminal records.

The crime of fraud is treated very seriously in Pennsylvania and can have severe consequences if you are charged and convicted. Criminal fraud is when a person engages in a scheme or plan to cheat and/or steal something from another, either money or something else of value. It is illegal in Pennsylvania for someone to…

What Are Types of Fraud and Their Consequences? | 610-431-7900 West Chester criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes help clients charged with criminal fraud. Contact us

For most of us, Thanksgiving Eve is a time of great anticipation for spending the holidays with family and friends. Unfortunately, there are those who take to drinking on the night before Thanksgiving and are even encouraged to do so. The phrase Blackout Wednesday earned its name from people passing out from heavy drinking on…

How Can Drivers Avoid Blackout Wednesday? | Call 610-431-7900 West Chester DUI defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes help drivers navigate their DUI charge from blackout wednesday.

Many people see Halloween as one of the first of many year-end holidays. Even adults get into the fun by dressing up and attending costume parties. However, Halloween is not all fun, games, and laughter. It has a darker side related to the higher-than-average level of drunk driving accidents that occur on and around October…

How can I Avoid a DUI Charge on Halloween Night? | 610-431-7900 West Chester DUI defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes represent clients charged with a DUI on Halloween. Free consults.

The penalties for criminal drug charges vary based on the type of drug or drugs found, and the pain and suffering resulting from a sale. The idea is that a single user causes less overall harm than someone who supplies drugs to other individuals. Users are seen as victims to their suppliers and therefore receive…

What are Criminal Drug Charges? - Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes The penalties for criminal drug charges vary based on the type of drug or drugs found, and the pain and suffering resulting from a sale.

Under the United States legal system, unlawful acts committed by an adult is seen differently if the same act is committed by a juvenile. The definition of a juvenile may differ from state to state. Someone is considered a juvenile if they are under the age of 18, but some states classify juveniles if they…

How Does Juvenile Court Differ from Adult Court? | 610-431-7900 West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Help Defend the Rights of Minors and their Families.

When it comes to summer celebrating and holiday weekends, the chances of being in a car accident or getting pulled over at a DUI checkpoint increases greatly. During any holiday weekend, all drivers should expect to be pulled over or questioned at some point or another. If in the event something goes wrong and legal…

How can Drivers Avoid a DUI during Labor Day Weekend? West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Advocate for Those Charged with DUI Offenses. Call 610-431-7900.

There are crimes that often involve the physical injury of people or property and generally draw the attention of the public. There are other non-physical and nonviolent crimes that are lesser known and mostly refer to someone’s finances and business. These are known as white collar crimes, and they can be committed by anybody, regardless…

West Chester White Collar Crimes Lawyer | Embezzlement Attorney Charged with a white collar crime like fraud or forgery? Attorney Heather J. Mattes has defended West Chester clients for over 30 years. Free consultation.

With the longer days and the warm, sunny weather, people across the United States use the summer season to get outside and enjoy each other’s company. The many joyful gatherings normally mean alcohol will be involved, which may lead to people making poor decisions. This likely contributes to the rise in drunk driving offenses often…

Do Drunk Driving Charges Increase in the Summer? | 610-431-7900 West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Fight for Those Wrongfully Charged with DUI. Free consult.

Under criminal law, the legal definition of assault varies slightly from state to state, but it generally means that someone made an attempt to intentionally injure another person through physical force or violence. It is an act that directly puts another person in reasonable fear of bodily injury. Simple assault and aggravated assault could be…

What Is the Difference Between Simple Assault and Aggravated Assault? West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes Protect the Rights of Clients Facing Assault Charges. Free consultation.

Being face to face with a criminal charge can be overwhelmingly stressful and requires the best help and guidance a person can get. When confronted with a questionable and unclear future, the only way to possibly achieve a positive outcome is to find the right representation in court. But with so many lawyers in the…

Criminal Defense Lawyer | Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes West Chester criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes defend the rights of those wrongly accused. 610-431-7900. Free consultations.

If a college student is charged for driving under the influence (DUI), it is important for parents to remember to not panic or get upset with their child. Once they are released from jail, the parents should speak with the child and gather information about the arrest. A college student charged with a DUI should…

What Should a College Student Do After Receiving a DUI Charge? West Chester DUI defense lawyers at the law offices of Heather J. Mattes help college students facing DUI charges. Call 610-431-7900 today. Free consults.

Kidnapping is a serious crime in all states and at the federal level. Typically, it is a crime where either a person is removed from one place and transported to another against their will, or the person is confined to an isolated place against their will. In all instances, kidnapping is a serious felony offense,…

What are Possible Defenses to Kidnapping Charges? West Chester criminal defense lawyers at the law offices of Heather J. Mattes protect the accused against kidnapping charges. Call 610-431-7900.

There are many different defenses that can counter a s*x offense charge. A defendant may proclaim innocence, claim that the victim consented to their behavior, confess but claim insanity or mental incapacity, or have another reason to be cleared of the suspected crime. For help with choosing the best defense, the accused should contact a…

What are Common Sexual Assault Defenses? | Victim Consent West Chester criminal defense lawyers at the law offices of Heather J. Mattes advocate on the behalf of clients accused of s*xual assault. 610-431-7900.